WORDS FROM FAMILY'S

Writing a testimonial for Rosie is one of the easiest tasks I've been given because, quite simply, without Rosie I would have failed to breastfeed.

Rosie has been the most supportive person to me during my breast feeding journeys and without her knowledge, support and guidance I would definitely have given up. Just for reference, I am currently exclusively breastfeeding my second child who is 5 months old after breastfeeding my first child for 17months (I chose to stop when I fell pregnant). 

With my first, A, I knew I wanted to breastfeed him - I knew all the positive physical & mental health benefits and was determined it was what I wanted to do & had to give it a go. What nothing had prepared me for is the chance that A would lose a significant amount of his birth weight, be jaundice, my milk supply potentially low, the nipple pain I had, a preferred side to feed and I'm sure the list continued! This is where Rosie came in. As an initial friend of my husbands, she and I weren't besties or anything but she made me feel so incredibly comfortable, valued and listened to that it didn't matter I was now showing her my boobs and nipples over video call so that she could help with my latch, positioning etc. And now I have the privilege of saying she is a dear friend of mine too.

Rosie knew that my intention was to breastfeed and from the moment I had A, she messaged me to say congratulations & if I was still choosing to breastfeed, she would be more than happy to support if needed. She was not pushy and I know she still would have been supportive had I chosen to formula feed or do a combination of the two. 

After one day of hell I immediately took her up in this! She helped where she could through video calls, messges of support and pictures and when it was apparent I might need further support she signposted me to numerous websites and found the website & number of an IBCLC (which I hadn't even heard of until Rosie told me about) who I then contacted to gain further support. Due to it being lockdown, accessing help was incredibly difficult and everything was over video call so having someone like Rosie in your corner, messaging daily, supporting and guiding made a massive difference and she was absolutely the reason to my successful breastfeeding journey.

When we made it to 3months she sent us a bronze boobie badge in the post and made me feel so proud of what we had achieved! Rosie would message to say well done when I finally plucked the courage to feed in public (something that I still find hard but know it really is okay!). Everything she does is because she cares, she is never patronising, no question is ever too much or too silly and she offers support without giving unsolicited opinions or advice. 

Fast forward to my second, P, being born. Having fed for 17months surely I'd have this totally in control?! But as we know babies have a way of luring you in and then bam - everything unravels! 

Again from the moment I had P, Rosie was there. P suffered from digestive issues and was taking in a lot of air during feeding making her extremely uncomfortable. Rosie again gave me many suggestions of positioning, helping via pictures, video calls and messages. She encouraged me to visit my local breastfeeding group which was great too! So yet again she has been an integral part of my breastfeeding journey! 

Further to all of this, Rosie also empowered me in my second pregnancy to stand for what I wanted in terms of my birth. With A I was induced (I had no idea this was something for I could choose not to do!) and then after a long labour ended up with an Emergency Cesarean. Because of this, with my second pregnancy the consultants were pushing for me to have an elective Cesarean, something that I really didn't want! Rosie again talked me through my options, empowered me to be brave enough to start asking hard questions, to listen to all the facts and make an informed decision and mostly to listen to my body! I am so pleased to say that I was able to vaginally deliver P and feel that a lot of that was due to the positive mindset I was able to gain from speaking everything through with Rosie. She would make an incredible Doula and has been "doing the role" as a friend for so many years it is already like second nature to her. I know that she has an eagerness to learn and better her knowledge and once she has completed this training, anyone that ends up with Rosie in their corner will be incredibly lucky indeed!

Phillipa